Mr Tom Sackville: Thank you, Madam Deputy Speaker. I want to illustrate the fact that the Government listen to all views by reminding the House that the Department of Health responded quickly to representations from the hon. Member for Mossley Hill on the disposal of foetuses after termination of pregnancy. All centres carrying out termination have clear instructions. Full account must be taken of any...
Mr Tom Sackville: I have already made that distinction clear. Most abortions are now below 24 weeks. There have to be unusual grounds for late abortions. This is a matter which is clearly worthy of research. The Medical Research Council is always ready to consider soundly based research proposals. In the meantime—
Mr Tom Sackville: I must carry on, because I want to continue my argument. In the meantime, I feel sure that the study to which the hon. Member for Mossley Hill has drawn attention will have been studied carefully by obstetricians and gynaecologists, as well as anaesthetists who are involved with invasive clinical procedures. In 1988, a report on sensory development in the human foetus was prepared, as has...
Mr Tom Sackville: I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Mr. Sims) on raising a matter that has caused considerable concern not only in his constituency but nationally as a result of the dramatic events on the night of 6–7 March. I welcome the presence of my right hon. Friend the Member for Old Bexley and Sidcup (Sir E. Heath), who has been involved through his discussions with the doctor...
Mr Tom Sackville: No. I well understand Mr. Percy's wish now to do all he can to put right the damage that he feels has been done to his reputation, and I very much regret the way in which the whole matter was reported.
Mr Tom Sackville: No. The hon. Gentleman had his chance to give his views; I have quite a long speech to make. Given the possibility of legal proceedings, hon. Members will appreciate, as my right hon. Friend has said, that I cannot comment further on this matter. What I can categorically state is that there is no question of Mr. Percy being used as a scapegoat to deflect criticism of bed shortages in London....
Mr Tom Sackville: I have stated the facts as I know them: a letter of censure was written to Mr. Percy by the hospital, critical of his performance. That is a matter of record.
Mr Tom Sackville: We did so because it was very germane to the whole account of what happened on that night that the hospital was critical of Mr. Percy. There was enormous press interest in the matter. As I said, however, I regret the way in which some newspapers and media carried the story. I can understand why Mr. Percy feels that he has been unfairly treated.
Mr Tom Sackville: I understand that the letter was sent with the full knowledge of the chairman of the hospital, and that clearly the hospital was critical. The fact that that was perhaps blown up to a considerable extent by the media is regrettable, but it remains a matter of fact that, with the full knowledge and permission of the chairman, the hospital was critical of Mr. Percy.
Mr Tom Sackville: No. I will carry on, because I have a lot to say about the action that has been taken since on intensive care beds. On the situation during that night, the panel also concluded that the Royal Free hospital did have two intensive care beds available and could have taken the patient. I appreciate that that raises all sorts of queries, and I would like to make it clear that a call was made by...
Mr Tom Sackville: That is not the information that I have, which is that the hospital said that beds were available, but advised that nearer facilities be sought. Unfortunately, that was not followed up. That is one of the factors that led to the inappropriate transfer of this patient to Leeds. As the House already knows, the report calls—
Mr Tom Sackville: No. I shall continue, and I have said what I understand to be the facts about what happened in relation to that telephone call. The report calls for the establishment of stronger systems for the referral of patients to specialist neuroscience centres, better co-ordination of bed usage between neuroscience centres, and improved communication between specialist centres and their referring...
Mr Tom Sackville: No. I should like to continue. The common theme from many studies is the need for better management. That was the key message of a report on beds from the chief executives of the inner London health authorities. Considerable work is being done to develop neurosciences in the Thames regions and London. That is well in hand, and the transfer of neurosurgery from the Brook hospital is being...
Mr Tom Sackville: I agree with my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South (Mr. Marshall) that the relatively small number of hon. Members present in the Chamber does not indicate any lack of concern about the subject—a concern that I share. My ministerial colleagues and I have great sympathy for those patients who may have become infected with hepatitis C through blood transfusions or blood products, as we...
Mr Tom Sackville: I was about to assure the House that I will investigate the issue of medication supplies raised by my hon. Friend the Member for Hendon, South to see what can be done to ensure that the treatment promised is provided. The Department is already supporting an initiative by the Haemophilia Society to undertake a study of the best way to support those of its members who are infected with...
Mr Tom Sackville: I congratulate my hon. Friend the Member for Bosworth (Mr. Tredinnick) on raising this subject, and I commend Leicestershire health authority for the priority that it clearly attaches to asthma treatment. In doing so, it mirrors in an effective way the concerns of my Department about the burden that results from asthma, and about its increasing prevalence. I agree with what my hon. Friend...
Mr Tom Sackville: The principal body for carrying out research is the Medical Research Council, but there is a centrally commissioned programme in my Department, and we work closely with the Medical Research Council. I take note of what my hon. Friend says about the need to bring all these matters together, so that there can be some readily understood document which will tell all those concerned what is being...
Mr Tom Sackville: We have listened to speeches by two hon. Gentlemen who are closely acquainted with the subject of the London ambulance service and who, especially the hon. Member for Newham, South (Mr. Spearing), know a great deal about it. The hon. Members for Woolwich (Mr. Austin-Walker) and for Newham, South both tended to trot out the old nostra about underfunding, failures by Ministers, Select Committee...
Mr Tom Sackville: I shall not give way, if the hon. Gentleman will excuse me, because I have only four minutes left.
Mr Tom Sackville: I would like to make it absolutely clear that, because of the agreement that has been reached and the new technology that is planned, I expect the London ambulance service to begin to reach the sort of performance standards that are routinely reached in other parts of the country. We should also pay tribute to the London ambulance service for the fact that, although it achieved something...